Anyone in the restaurant biz?

[jwo1124]

I'm looking to know if anyone here is involved in the rastaurant business, preferably a manager. I am in college now for Social Work, and still need 2 years to get my bachelor's degree and four years away from a Master's, which I have been told by many people is pretty much a neccassity these days in order to make a decent living.

I'm really not too keen on staying in college for four more years just to get an entry level position in a field where I hear it is extremely stressful and draining. I have been working at a local casual dining restaurant since 2001(sophmore year in high school) This Feb. will mark my seventh year working there. I have learned alot about the business and have worked almost every job there is besides cook. I have held supervising postions in the past over the summer but currently I am a Waiter. I know the Owner very well, he was a childhood friend of my father's, and he treat's me well.

I am thinking about straying from Social Work, and getting a 2 year college degree in management(since most places only require a high school diploma some an associate's degree), and starting to work for my boss as a manager for a few years, get some experience and start looking for more money. I have researched the position, and experienced restaurant managers(2-5 years) generally make 40-60k depending on experience.

I'm just wondering if anyone hear is or knows of any restaurant managers and could give me some info on how life is like, how the money is, what bonuses are like, and how often they come by. I think this would be a good niche for me to make a decent middle class living for myself, and hopefully by the time I want a family I will have had a promotion or two, and will be making a little bit more money.

[slomoe]

I started out working in the food industry. It was very stressful. I have and still supervise, but in an office setting currently. Management is stressful work also. Taking the rap for what others do, and telling people that they can't do this or that will work your nerves. I don't think a management position in the food industry will be any less stressful than social work IMO. just my two cents.

[flyhatch]

I did a 2 year stint in the food and beverage industry. I liked it except for the hours, and the hours are always gonna be bad. and the stress is always going to be there, most employed in F&B are just so for the time being, hence lots of turnover and time being short staffed. But overcomming constant wigging out and getting out of the weeds is great experience and transfers well in to management and sales related positions. Id get a BS at the least even if you had to do it at night.

[Bassn Blvd]

Forget managing someone else' business.  You'll always be a slave to them.  GET YOUR MASTERS and manage your own business.

[jwo1124]

Thanks for the help guys. I just got home from my shift and I don;t think I;d want to be doing that for the rest of my life. I thought it over last night and today, and even if I am two years behind, getting my bachelors and even a master's will be worth it in the long run. Life's a marathon, not a sprint, and being sort of impatient, I have to remind myself this at times. Even if I don't get into my career field until I'm 26, I'll have my Master's degree, a bunch of knowledge about the field, and I'll be worth a lot more. I hear what someone said about the hours in the restaurant biz. SOme managers that have to close work a 5-12/1am shift and then have to be there at 11am the next day. It must just drain you physically. I'll stick to my gameplan for now...